Wheelbarrow-wheel



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES F. FARNSIVORTH, OF MEMPHS, TENNESSEE.

WH EELBARROW=WH EEL.

SPEOIFICATIONl formng part of Letters Patent No. 397,347, dated February 5, 1889.

Application filed June 13, 1888' Serial N0- 2'76,988- (NO mdel.)

To all who/n it may ooncrn:

Be it known that I, CHARLES lt. FARNS- W ORTH, a citizen of the United States, residing in Memphis, in. tlie county of Shelby and State of Tennessee, have invented an Improved lheelbarrow-'Wheel; and .l do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

Figure I of the drawings represents a side View of a wheelbarrow-wheel constructed according to my invention; Fig. 2, a similar View, the iron flauge next to the point of sight being' removed; Fig. 3,an axial section of the wheel in a plane iudicated by the line 1 1, Fig. I; Figs. 4, 5, and 6 views, respeetively, of the different forms of spokes used.

Like letters designate corresponding parts in all of the figures.

My iinproved wheelbarrow-wheel is constructed as follows: First, the spolces are peculiarly formed and joined at thehub. There are two spokes, A A, one being (shown separately in Fig` 4) arrz'mged in line or diainetrically opposite to each other, each having at its inner end right-angled notches a a, cuttingout its corners, substantially as shown. The two spokes do not meet in the center of the wheel,

there being space enough between them to` admit the spindle l of the barrow. Then there are two more spokes, A' A', (one being shown separately in Fig. 5,) arranged in line at right angles to the spokes A A, and having square inner ends, the Corners of which fit into the notches in the ends of the said spokes A A, as clearly represented in Fig. 2. There is also room between the inner ends of these spokes for the spindle. These four spokes are thus locked together firmly and immovably at the center of the Wheel, cannot become displaced, nor driven farther in toward the center, and they serve as the main or frame part of the wheel. Then there are additional spokes A2 A2, (one being shown separately in Fig. 6,) chamfered to a blunt wedge or right-angled form at the inner end, so as to fit accnrately into the angles formed by the junction of the spokesA A', as shown. Thus a (close, firm, and unyielding joint is made between all the spokes at the hub of the wheel.

In order to nnite all the spokes rigidly and form a strong and firm wheel, the hub of th'e wheel is completed by means of two cast-iron fianges, C O, peculiarly constructed as shown. Such fiange is made broad where it fits against the outer surface of the spokes, and has pointed projeetions (Z d, where they cover the spokes, or star-shaped, and its center portion projects a considerable distance outward in conical or tubular form, as shown in Fig. 3. The main part b, being' hollow, allows of lightness of construction, while the outer end, c, of the same is simply bored to form a bearing for the spindle. Thus the two flanges on the two sides of the wheel form two bearings for the spindle at such a distanee from the center of the wheel as to give a very strong bracing to the' wheel and make it unnsually rigid and of great strength. The fianges and spokes are all united bybolts, or their equivalents-preferably screw-bolts D D-passed through both fianges and one through the middle of each spoke, and through each alternate spoke, and powerfully elamped together by nuts screwed upon the bolts.

The advantage of the star form, or form with projections lapping outward upon the spokes, is that additional strength and bracing-power are thereby gained with the least weight of metal in the fianges.

The fellies E E and tire G of the wheel have no special construction in this invention.

I claim as my invention* In a wheelbarrow-wheel, the combination of the spokes A A, having notches a a in their inner ends, spokes A' A', having square inner ends fitting in the said notches of the first spokes, and the spokcs AA, having their inner ends formed to fit into the angles between the other spokes, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

2. In combination with the spokes A A' A2 and spindle B, the iron flanges O C, having hollow extensions b Z), and tnbular bearings o c, fitting around the spindle, and formed vwith peripheral proj ections d cl, and the bolts D D, passed through the said projections cl d and the spokes, substantially as and for the purpose herein specified.

In witness whei'eof I have hercunto signed my name in the presen'ce of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES F. FARNSVORTH.

Titnessesz PETER H. RUssELL, J AooB A. EvANs.

IOO 

